I don't need to lose weight, I just want energy!!

[ridergirl]

Hi I'm Michele and I'm 35. I'm getting more and more tired in the afternoon, so much that I need a nap and I can't plan anything that is all day, because of this much needed nap. So with that, can't I just cut down on my carbs instead of taking them right out?
I exercise everyday, very hard on Sundays. In fact, I cut carbs out Sat. night, sun morning, then went mt.bike riding on Sunday after breaky and was VERY weak and tired on that ride. So since I don't need to lose weight, can't I just cut down on carbs and increase the protein?
Plus how do you know how many carbs one can have?
BTW I do have the book, but it didn't answer that question.
PS. my thyroid is low and therefore I'm taking meds for that.
Please help!
Thanks in advance.

[Perry]

Hi Michele. Welcome.

You probably didn't get your answer in Dr. Atkins book because you were not looking closely.

Yes, you can reduce your carbohydrates. However, protein is not the replacement. Your body does not process protein efficiently. You need to add some more fat to your diet. Things such as eggs, butter, cream, etc.. Your body will use these for energy very efficiently.

Also, if you do not keep up your calorie intake (to 1200/day minimum) your body will put itself in a 'starvation' mode and hold on to everything - making you even more tired.

I suggest you add some fat to your diet, reduce your carbs to maybe 50-70 a day and take a multi-vitamin supplement!

Discuss these suggestions with your Dr.

Hope this was helpful.

[Iapetus999]

It can take 2 days for your body to move from carb- to fat-burning metabolism. People on Atkins long-term kind of straddle that line. However since you body is used to having plenty of carbs, it will panic without them and try to shut down.
My advice is to try Induction for 2 weeks.........just to see how you feel. Sort of like research. If after 2 weeks you still feel the same every day...then carbs are not the issue.
For instance I have sleep apnea...before I got a CPAP machine I would sleep 9 hours a night and wake up dead tired. Now I sleep 7 at most. If after eliminating carbs for 2 weeks you still feel so tired you should look into a possible sleep disorder.
After the 2 weeks are up, if you feel a lot better, you need to start reintroducing carbs into your diet. You need energy to be able to do physical activity but you also need it to be steady...not spiking. But introducing slowly via the OWL ladder and Pre-maintenance you will find a balance.
It may take more than 2 weeks of Induction before you're able to perform physically.

[Elleth Faewen]

Hi, Michele. You have received some good advice already.

In Atkins for Life, Dr. Atkins talks about starting at maintenance if you have < 10 pounds to lose. The only problem with this advice is that if you have not gone through the phases, then you do not know starting out what your maintenance carb levels are. Perry gave you a good carb level to start at, and you can adjust from there. You may find that you are very hungry, though, if you do not follow If you find that you are hungry all the time, then follow the advice from Iap.

When you start low carbing, it takes your body a couple of weeks to adjust to burning fat instead of carbs, so while you get an energy burst around day 3 of induction, it may take a few weeks before you can do a high-intensity work-out. For some people, it comes when they start OWL.

[RidinDaLightnin]

The following is from the Atkins website. You can see the article here: http://atkins.com/helpatkins/newfaq/...ForHealth.html

I'm of normal weight but want to do Atkins for health reasons. Can I restrict carbohydrates without losing weight?

The Atkins Nutritional ApproachTM is recommended for much more than weight loss. Almost everyone will experience health benefits by controlling carbohydrates. The average American eats about 300 grams of carbohydrates a day, half of it as sugar.

Here's how to adapt Atkins to your needs. Start with the Ongoing Weight Loss phase, where in addition to protein, fats and vegetables, you will be eating seeds, nuts, and berries. If you find you are losing weight, add higher carb vegetables such as yams, turnips and winter squash. There are also certain low-glycemic legumes such as lentils and soybeans and low-glycemic fruits such as melon and apricots that you may be able to incorporate. Finally, add whole grains. While consuming your normal amount of protein, add as much of these foods as you wish so long as you maintain your normal weight. Everyone, however slim, should avoid empty carbs in the form of refined bleached flour or sugar, including most processed foods. Similarly, no matter what your weight, you should supplement your diet with vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids and adhere to a regular exercise program.

[Tommy]

Yes, you can reduce your carbohydrates. However, protein is not the replacement. Your body does not process protein efficiently.

Effect of Protein Intake and Physical Activity on 24-h Pattern and Rate of Macronutrient Utilization

The findings of this study can be applied to the Atkins Principle of Good Health. Consuming a diet higher in protein and lower in carbohydrate while exercising 90 minutes per day, subjects were able to stay in positive nitrogen balance. These subjects also used more fat for energy during exercise, during recovery and at rest than the “normal”-protein group

http://atkins.com/Archive/2002/1/11-790460.html

[Perry]

The studies I've read said excessive protein turns to glucose. The poster mentioned nothing of exercise.

[ridergirl]

Thanks for all the great info. I must say Tommy WOW you went from a 60 yr old man to a 20 yr old man. You're a HOTTIE!!! That's the most amazing difference I've seen yet!!!!!
Anyway, I'm training for my black belt right now (getting it April 24) so my teacher is putting on the presure. I have to be in top physical form right NOW. So I cut out all crap, like bread, pasta, cookies, cakes, sugary things, increased veggies and protein. I already feel much better.
Plus I am 126 lbs now instead of 128.5 so a little bonus, I lost my little gut.
thanks again!

[gailross]

mtb riding

Michele,

I ride also and started this WOE the day after Christmas. I had no energy to ride the first week. I did some easy urban miles for exercise but my long hard dirt rides had to wait until my body got used to burning the fat and protein. After a couple of weeks I got my energy back and it's much more level now. Riding is fun again and I can't wait for it to dry out so I can get back in the dirt! good luck!